Swivel connection for hydraulic hoists



April 1949-. R. Q.- ARMINGTON 2,466,352

SWIVEL CONNECTIONS FOR HYDRAULIC HOISTS Filed Feb; 19, 1945 INVENTOR. 9/) YMO/VD Q. flew/V670.

Arr'yls.

Patented Apr. 5, 1949 SWIVEL CONNECTION FOR HYDRAULIC HOISTS Raymond Q. Armington, Shaker Heights, Ohio,

assignor to The Euclid Road Machinery 00.,

Euclid, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 19,

2 Claims. (Cl. 121--46) The invention relates to hydraulic power motors, and more particularly to motors of this type having a cylinder which is pivotally supported or suspended so as to be oscillatable around an axis of oscillation. Such a motor, in the form of a hydraulic jack or power hoist, is shown for example in my United States Patent No. 2,386,187, granted October 9, 1945, to which reference may be had for a disclosure of one practical adaptation thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for transmitting fluid power to an oscillatable power cylinder.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved fluid power transmission means suitable for use with an oscillatable cylinder for a fluid power motor, such means avoiding the use of flexible conduit.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved inflexible means of the nature indicated, said means being adapted to supply fluid power to an oscillatable cylinder from a plurality of supply sources through a plurality of conduits.

A further object of the invention is to provide 1 an oscillatable cylinder having an inlet port provided with coupling means, said coupling means being located on the axis of oscillation of the cylinder, and said coupling means receiving fluid power from a conduit, next adjacent said coupling means being likewise located on said axis of oscillation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cylinder for a fluid power motor, said cylinder being provided with supporting means of pivotable character whereby said cylmder 1S oscillatable means, said cylinder being the portion of the conduit 1 one or more ports havin attaching means in I said port, the connection between each said attachable port of said conduits to each said port coupling being of rotatably leak proof character, and being located on said axis of rotation.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved, nonflexible fluid power transmitting means for an oscillatable cylinder of the nature need for 1945, Serial No. 578,611

2 will occur to those skilled in the accompanying drawings,

diately apparent, or the art on a study of in which: I

Fig. 1 is a schematic showing of a fluid power motor adapted to oscillate with relation to supporting means responsive to position changes in the point of application of its power output;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a fluid power motor of the type schematically shown in Fig. 1, equipped with inflexible conduit means, in accordance with the present invention for the transmission of fluid power thereto, parts being broken away and/or in section to show internal structure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fluid power motor and supportin means constructed and mounted in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partlyinsection and partly in elevation, and somewhat enlarged, of a coupling arrangement such as is used in Figs. 1 and 2.

In a double acting cylinder of the type wherein a piston reciprocates, as the fluid power is admitted alternately to two opposed chambers, the most practical construction requires that the piston rod be movable endwise without deviation from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. If, however, the piston rod be applied to actuation of a crank or lever, pivoted at a fixed point, it is the point of connection between the end of the piston rod and the crank pin or lever end. As has heretofore been recognized, and as is illustrated in schematic essentials in Fig. 1, the cylinto those skilled in the art, but gives rise to further problems as will immediately appear.

It has been customary to introduce the fluid power to opposed ends of the cylinder through means including certain conduit portions which are sufliciently flexible to permit of cylinder oscillation, and in practice this was often done through rubber hose connections. In certain applications, such as excavating, hoisting, conveying, or grading devices, the work is carried on in all variety of climatic conditions and workinghazards, .involving the possibility of injury to flexible conduit of the type indicated, and repairs are diflicult or inconvenient, or replacement parts may not be conveniently available.

In solving these problems I have devised a substantially permanent assembly for a fluid power motor, wherein oscillation of the cylinder is permitted, but wherein the fluid power transmitting conduit may be termed irom rigid, relatively inflexible :pipinga oi the kind normally available by use of'a novel mod of arrangement and 'connection of said piping with respect to the cylinder. The objects of the present invention are substantially achieved when connectign betwecn said inflexible conduit and said oscillatable cylinder is made at a coupling having complementary parts, one part fixed with respect N r and the other part fixed with'respectto duit, one said part being rotatable with espct to the other said part, and the coupling point be ing located on the axis of oscillation of the cylinder.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 4 illustrating one embodimentof the present invention'fth'e drawiag'- how' a fluid power motor "comprising a cylinder of the double acting type, within which a piston 21 reciprocates'. The cylinder, for member part, isoi conventional 'rorm, having apposed end heads 22 and 23,head 23 being apertu'red and packed by meansnot'shown top'erinit passage therethrough of piston rod 25, o'ne H br said rod being afiixed to piston 21 The a em r *cd' ventional means 26 for attachment to "acrank pin'or other movable point of power application. The external portion of rod which is in 'slidable contact with the cylinderhea'd 23 is provided from piston 2| is provided with with an'ext'ensible bellows 21" "for dust and'dirt protection.

Qylinder 20 is mounted to oscillate in a supportingbracket 38 disposed adjacent head*"22. -Apin 3l is carried transversely between'a pair bf bifurcated arms of bracket'3lli whichform's a part of any suitable supporting means not here 'shown,='and cylinder head 2.2 has rigid therewith a hushed member 32 which swivels 0n pin 3 l Consequently, whenthemotor is inoperation, the

cylinder; piston androd "oscillate on'anaxis coincidentwith the axial center line of pin 3 I;

Ari 'adeciuate'operating clearance maybe provided between arms 30 and the hushed member 32 to allow for a certain amount of misalignment betweenthe pivotand-thecrank end of-the piston rod? For *thisandmther reasons the fixed-pipe supports may be placed air-some distancefrom the cylinder to permit limited flexing oi the pipingsystem;

-*:;Ifhe motor ltiere shown is of the double action type, fluid power being admitted, alternately to chambers 35 and 36 by valving'mea'ns not" shown. I"h'ave discovered that 'power "fluid ma'y be supplied to either 'or both chamberspfi and 36 through conventional"metallic conduit, without the use o fflexible"pipe'sectionsflf 'a'port'ion of each separate" supply conduit is coincident with th'axis of oscillation of' the cylinderfandifgsuch coincident portion is provided with two'complementary parts, one part immovable with'r'esp'ect 'tds'ai'd cylinder and anotherpart rotatably movabie'""'with' respect to saidrcylinderrthe axis-oi rotation "of said "rotatable part being coincident with'th axisof oscillation of the-cylinderrOne means of'assembly whereby this 'is accomplished will now bed'e's'cribed."

"-'-Adjacent" each end of the cylinder, and here shown -as integral with cylinder heads 22 and Z3, Tprqvida'fluid inlet ,fittingsiflf and 3.8 'g'especfor oscillation of tyithabored-p'assage 53 tively. Fittings 31 and 38 are provided with respective through passages or inlet ports 39 and 40. Pressure fluid from supply conduits 43, 44 is transmitted respectively to inlet ports 39, through rotatable couplings 45, 46 which lie on the axis of oscillation of the cylinder. Coupling 45 is directly in communication with inlet port 39. Coupling 46 is in communication with inlet inort-Mfthiough elbow -41-,--c'onduit-48,' and coupling 49. Referring to the drawings the structure of said couplings 45 and 436 will be immediately beingcompressedand retained by a gland secured to the flange 6! of the member 52"by cap screws 62. The manner of assembly just described permits relative rotary" motion between members '52 and 55. The axisof' rotation lies along *the'a'xis of nipple 56, and said axis of rotation is designed to coincide with the axis of pin .t-l, namely the axis of oscillation of the'cylinde'r.'-"'

Since coupling 46 corresponds in structure and location to coupling 45, the purpose'offlisposingt'zoupling t6 in the position shown' will now be evident. "Coupling '46 is likewise provided with a nipple "E5 relatively rotatable" therein, analogous to rotation of nipple 5B in coupling 45. To maintain coupling 46 rigid with-respect to the cylinder, elbow is equipped with a flange 6B s'ecured to head122 in any convenient manner, as 'by'cap screws 61:

From an examination of Figs. 2 or 3 it will be apparent" that cylinder 28, and the portions of couplings "45' and 46 which are immovable relative 'thereto, may be oscillated around the axis ii -A without disturbing the position or" dispositioii ohsupplyconduits 43; 44. Thave-con'sefluently described and shown means whereby all fluid supply connections can be "fabricated from metal, or other nonflexiblematerial;so that the structure may be expectedto withstand normal workhazards, and so that-ordinary servicing may be readily taken care ofwithnormally available -partsz"if a leak occurs'on thejob, temporary repairs may be made by wrapping any packing materialto'replace'ring 59; By having the'sllpply pipes 53 and M attached only ,by the swivel joints near the cylinder-head, leaving 'severah-feet'bf free piping; moderate twisting and swaying of themotoncylinder,rol lowing wear at pivot point, is permitted-without "puttingundue stress on'the'fiuid' connections which might cause damage or breakage.-

While the spacing ofthecouplings i, 14.6 (Figs. 2 to 4;) opposed diametrically with respect-to cylinder Nor 10 represents, in many instances, the most favorable arrangement from the standpoint-of static and-dynamic"balance, :thecouplings mayobviously be opposed one line which is ofi-the cylinder diameter. It is of course necessary thatthe couplings have a common axis of rotation, and if there is also a suspensionpoint the m t r, it i zfu tther .ntgesa 5 sary that the said axis of coupling rotation coincide with the axis of movement or oscillation at the suspension point,

I have shown several embodiments in which the couplings have two relatively rotatable parts, one telescopingly insertable in the other. It will be immediately apparent that in any particular coupling, any desired change or substitution may be made in the arrangement of the parts, provided there is a leak proof, relatively rotatable attachment which is on the axis of oscillation.

What I claim is:

1. In a fluid power motor having a cylinder and a piston with associated rod reciprocable therein, the combination of a single relatively narrow pivotal mounting for said cylinder substantially in line with saidrod and at the end of said cylinder opposite said rod, the pivotal axis of said mounting being at right angles to the axis of said rod, and pressure fluid inlet and outlet conduits for said motor of relatively inflexible material having relatively rotatable swivel connections located on the axis of said pivotal mounting and independent of said mounting, said conduits being free and unsupported close to said mounting other than by their connections with said motor, whereby moderate misalinement between said mounting and said piston rod, in a plane including said pivotal axis and said rod axis, may be accommodated.

2. In a fluid power motor having a cylinder and associated piston and rod reciprocable therein, the combination of a single pivotal mounting for said cylinder at the end of said cylinder opposite said rod, said mounting providing a pivotal axis at right angles to the axis of said rod, pressure fluid inlet and outlet conduits for said motor of relatively inflexible material, each of said conduits having a swivel connection free and unsupported other than by said motor and conduits, each of said swivel connections having associated relatively rotatable parts, one of said parts of each swivel connection having a conduit connection with said cylinder, the other of said parts of each swivel connection having one of said conduits extending away therefrom free and otherwise unsupported close to said swivel connection, and said swivel connections having axes of rotation located substantially on the pivotal axis of said mounting. RAYMOND Q. ARMINGTON. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 110,352 Forrester Dec, 20, 1870 231,551 Fiske Aug. 24, 1880 264,746 Pendleton Sept. 19, 1882 467,766 Oliver Jan. 26, 1892 483,014 Powers Sept. 20, 1892 559,591 Mullen May 5, 1896 944,724 Evered Dec. 28, 1909 1,025,605 Anderson May 7, 1912 1,157,749 Young Oct. 26, 1915 1,226,528 Jones May 15, 1917 1,394,245 Berry Oct, 18, 1921 2,113,044 Eisenberg Apr. 5, 1938 2,374,045 Soucia Apr. 17, 1945 2,382,457 Wertman et al Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 465,429 France Feb. 6, 1914 

